Standalone Files preferences

The preferences when dealing with standalone COBOL files (that is, COBOL source files not part of a project) are available from the Window > Preferences > Micro Focus > COBOL > Standalone Files page, which also has three sub-pages:

Compile

When compiling standalone files, the IDE attempts to use any Compiler directives specified in an associated program symbols file (.idy) file. If one cannot be located (see Program Symbols section), the directives list on this page are used. By default, they are:

  • nognt int() anim for a 32-bit Eclipse.
  • nognt int() anim P64 for a 64-bit Eclipse.

If you have changed these directives, to reset them to the default values, click Restore Defaults.

If you are compiling a standalone file containing copybook files that are not stored in the same location as the source file, you can use the COPYPATH Compiler directive; for example, COPYPATH(<location1>;<location2>;...).

Program Symbols

When working with standalone COBOL files, the IDE attempts to use an associated program symbols file (.idy) to provide the Compiler directives required to compile the source code. The locations and environment variables listed on this page are searched in order until the required .idy file is found. If no file is found, the directives specified on the Compile page are used.

Use the buttons to the right of the list to add, remove, edit and reorder items on the list. The setting displayed above the list is used to specify the host to which the path relates, allowing you to specify both local and remote locations.

Note: The '.' (period) entry indicates the location in which the standalone COBOL file was opened.

Copybook Paths

When debugging standalone COBOL files, the IDE attempts to locate copybooks referenced in the source using the list specified on this page. The locations and environment variables listed on this page are searched in order until the required copybook file is found.

Use the buttons to the right of the list to add, remove, edit and reorder items on the list. The setting displayed above the list is used to specify the host to which the path relates, allowing you to specify both local and remote locations. [13]

Note: The '.' (period) entry indicates the location in which the standalone COBOL file was opened.